Emulating Christ: The Essence of Godly Leadership
Summary
### Summary
Today, we delved into the last three verses of Psalm 78, focusing on the profound lessons they offer about Christian leadership. This passage highlights how God chose David from humble beginnings as a shepherd to lead His people with integrity and skill. This journey of David serves as an aspirational model for all of us, emphasizing the qualities of a servant, steward, and shepherd. These roles are not just titles but embody the essence of godly leadership, which is characterized by a pure heart and skilled hands.
We explored three lenses through which to view this text. The first lens is aspirational, encouraging us to strive for the qualities of leadership exemplified by David. The second lens reveals the mystery of God's ways in choosing and developing leaders. David's journey from the sheep pens to the throne is a testament to God's sovereign and often surprising methods. The third lens points us to our ultimate longing for the perfect King, Jesus Christ, who fulfills all the expectations of a true leader. Jesus is the servant, steward, and shepherd par excellence, who leads with perfect integrity and skill.
In a world desperate for genuine leadership, this passage reminds us that our deepest need is met in Jesus. He is the King we long for, the one who leads us with both heart and hand. As we navigate our own roles as leaders in various spheres, we are called to emulate these qualities and to pray for leaders who embody them. Ultimately, our hope and prayer are for the return of our King, Jesus, who will lead us perfectly and eternally.
### Key Takeaways
1. Aspirational Leadership: Psalm 78:70-72 provides an aspirational model for Christian leadership, emphasizing the roles of servant, steward, and shepherd. These roles are not just titles but embody the essence of godly leadership, characterized by a pure heart and skilled hands. This model stirs our hearts and captures our imagination, urging us to strive for these qualities in our own leadership roles. [30:05]
2. The Mystery of God's Choices: The way God chooses and develops leaders is often a mystery. David's journey from a shepherd boy to the king of Israel illustrates how God takes us from humble beginnings and brings us to places of significant influence. This process is a testament to God's sovereign and often surprising methods, reminding us that our leaders are gifts from God. [37:42]
3. Integrity and Skill: True leadership in the kingdom of God involves both integrity of heart and skillfulness of hands. Integrity means there is no separation between our internal and external lives, while skillfulness refers to mastering our craft. These two qualities are essential for effective leadership, and we are called to cultivate both in our lives. [33:18]
4. Longing for the Perfect King: While David was a great leader, he was not perfect. This imperfection points us to our ultimate longing for Jesus, the perfect King. Jesus fulfills all the expectations of a true leader, serving as the ultimate servant, steward, and shepherd. Our deepest need for leadership is met in Him. [47:52]
5. Praying for Godly Leaders: As we seek new leaders, whether in our churches or communities, we should pray for those who embody the qualities of servant, steward, and shepherd. These leaders should have integrity of heart and skillfulness of hands. Our prayers should also reflect our longing for Jesus' return, the ultimate fulfillment of our need for perfect leadership. [36:27]
### YouTube Chapters
[0:00] - Welcome
[22:25] - Introduction and Personal Reflections
[23:19] - The Privilege of Pastoring
[24:43] - Guidestone and Financial Security
[26:25] - Importance of Christian Leadership
[28:16] - Reading Psalm 78:70-72
[30:05] - Aspirational Leadership
[33:18] - Integrity and Skill
[35:05] - Personal Story of Leadership
[37:42] - The Mystery of God's Choices
[40:33] - David's Anointing
[42:36] - Personal Development Story
[44:58] - God's Gift of Leaders
[47:52] - Longing for the Perfect King
[49:57] - Jesus as the Ultimate Leader
[51:43] - The Spread of the Gospel
[54:07] - Maranatha: Longing for Jesus' Return
[55:13] - Invitation and Prayer
Study Guide
### Bible Study Discussion Guide
#### Bible Reading
- Psalm 78:70-72: "He chose David his servant and took him from the sheep pens; from tending the sheep he brought him to be the shepherd of his people Jacob, of Israel his inheritance. And David shepherded them with integrity of heart; with skillful hands he led them."
#### Observation Questions
1. What roles are highlighted in Psalm 78:70-72 that David exemplified as a leader?
2. How does the sermon describe the journey of David from shepherd to king? ([26:25])
3. What are the two qualities mentioned in Psalm 78:72 that are essential for leadership according to the sermon? ([31:43])
4. How does the sermon explain the mystery of God's choices in leadership, particularly in the case of David? ([37:42])
#### Interpretation Questions
1. Why is the model of leadership presented in Psalm 78:70-72 considered aspirational for Christians today? ([30:05])
2. How does the sermon illustrate the mystery of God's ways in choosing and developing leaders through David's story? ([37:42])
3. What does it mean to lead with "integrity of heart" and "skillfulness of hands," and why are both necessary for effective leadership? ([33:18])
4. How does the sermon connect our longing for the perfect leader to Jesus Christ? ([49:57])
#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on your own leadership roles. How can you strive to embody the qualities of a servant, steward, and shepherd in your daily life? ([30:05])
2. Think about a time when you felt unqualified for a leadership role. How does David's journey from shepherd to king encourage you to trust in God's plan for your life? ([37:42])
3. In what ways can you cultivate both integrity of heart and skillfulness of hands in your current responsibilities? What specific steps can you take this week to improve in these areas? ([33:18])
4. How can you support and pray for the leaders in your church and community to embody the qualities of servant, steward, and shepherd? ([36:27])
5. The sermon emphasizes the importance of longing for Jesus, the perfect King. How can you keep this longing alive in your daily walk with God? ([49:57])
6. Identify a leader you admire who exemplifies the qualities discussed in the sermon. What specific actions or attitudes can you adopt from their example to improve your own leadership?
7. How can you actively participate in praying for and supporting the process of selecting new leaders in your church or community? ([36:27])
Devotional
Day 1: Striving for Godly Leadership
Christian leadership is about embodying the roles of servant, steward, and shepherd with a pure heart and skilled hands. Psalm 78:70-72 provides an aspirational model for us, showing how David was chosen from humble beginnings to lead with integrity and skill. This model encourages us to strive for these qualities in our own leadership roles, whether in our families, workplaces, or communities. It stirs our hearts and captures our imagination, urging us to emulate the essence of godly leadership. [30:05]
1 Peter 5:2-3 (ESV): "Shepherd the flock of God that is among you, exercising oversight, not under compulsion, but willingly, as God would have you; not for shameful gain, but eagerly; not domineering over those in your charge, but being examples to the flock."
Reflection: Think of a leadership role you currently hold. How can you better embody the qualities of a servant, steward, and shepherd in this role today?
Day 2: Embracing the Mystery of God's Choices
The way God chooses and develops leaders is often a mystery. David's journey from a shepherd boy to the king of Israel illustrates how God takes us from humble beginnings and brings us to places of significant influence. This process is a testament to God's sovereign and often surprising methods, reminding us that our leaders are gifts from God. We may not always understand His ways, but we can trust that He knows what is best for us and for His kingdom. [37:42]
1 Samuel 16:7 (ESV): "But the Lord said to Samuel, 'Do not look on his appearance or on the height of his stature, because I have rejected him. For the Lord sees not as man sees: man looks on the outward appearance, but the Lord looks on the heart.'"
Reflection: Reflect on a time when you were surprised by God's choice of a leader in your life. How did this experience shape your understanding of His sovereignty and wisdom?
Day 3: Cultivating Integrity and Skill
True leadership in the kingdom of God involves both integrity of heart and skillfulness of hands. Integrity means there is no separation between our internal and external lives, while skillfulness refers to mastering our craft. These two qualities are essential for effective leadership, and we are called to cultivate both in our lives. As we grow in our relationship with God, we should seek to develop these attributes, ensuring that our actions align with our values and that we are competent in our responsibilities. [33:18]
Proverbs 22:29 (ESV): "Do you see a man skillful in his work? He will stand before kings; he will not stand before obscure men."
Reflection: Identify one area in your life where you need to grow in integrity or skill. What practical steps can you take this week to develop in this area?
Day 4: Longing for the Perfect King
While David was a great leader, he was not perfect. This imperfection points us to our ultimate longing for Jesus, the perfect King. Jesus fulfills all the expectations of a true leader, serving as the ultimate servant, steward, and shepherd. Our deepest need for leadership is met in Him. As we navigate our own roles as leaders, we should look to Jesus as our model and source of strength, knowing that He leads us with perfect integrity and skill. [47:52]
Hebrews 4:15-16 (ESV): "For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin. Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need."
Reflection: In what ways can you look to Jesus as your model for leadership? How can you draw strength from Him in your current leadership challenges?
Day 5: Praying for Godly Leaders
As we seek new leaders, whether in our churches or communities, we should pray for those who embody the qualities of servant, steward, and shepherd. These leaders should have integrity of heart and skillfulness of hands. Our prayers should also reflect our longing for Jesus' return, the ultimate fulfillment of our need for perfect leadership. By praying for godly leaders, we align our hearts with God's desires and invite His guidance in the selection and development of those who will lead us. [36:27]
1 Timothy 2:1-2 (ESV): "First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people, for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way."
Reflection: Take a moment to pray for the leaders in your church and community. Ask God to raise up leaders who embody the qualities of a servant, steward, and shepherd. How can you support and encourage these leaders in their roles?
Quotes
### Quotes for Outreach
1. "We live in a nation. In a world. In a nation. That is desperate for leadership. Grasping leadership. Hungry for leadership. And that can be dangerous. Because that deep desire for a good strong leader can be exploited. But I want you to know that that deep desire for a good faithful leader. Is a desire that's placed in the heart of every person on the planet. By our creator. The reason you know you need a leader. Is because God tells you you need a leader. But we as followers of the Lord Jesus Christ know. That the leader has already been provided. And his name is Jesus. He is the son of David. He's our savior and king." [50:39] (69 seconds)
2. "Jesus is the servant of God. Who comes humble and gentle. Jesus is the faithful steward. Who fulfills the father's purpose. And Jesus is the good shepherd. Who lays down his life for the sheep. And through his shed blood on the cross. Perfect fulfillment of the father's will. And through the power of his resurrection. He seats. He's seated now at the right hand of the throne of God. And everyone who calls upon the name of the Lord Jesus will be saved. We long for the king. Don't we?" [49:57] (43 seconds)
3. "The reason you know you need a leader. Is because God tells you you need a leader. But we as followers of the Lord Jesus Christ know. That the leader has already been provided. And his name is Jesus. He is the son of David. He's our savior and king. Remember that. When the church was born in Jerusalem on Pentecost. It was almost entirely Jewish. And as the gospel spread. We read it in the book of Acts. From Jerusalem to Judea to Samaria to the uttermost. To Ethiopia to Rome to Spain. As the gospel spreads all around the world. The church becomes almost totally Gentile." [51:43] (57 seconds)
4. "When you read that sentence and you think, wouldn't that be great? You reach toward it. You aspire to that. The language of this text gives us this aspirational model for kingdom leadership. It stirs our hearts. It captures our imagination. We think, I would like to be that kind of leader. I would like to know that kind of leader. And notice the language. The three primary biblical models for leadership are right here in the text. What does the Bible teach us about a leader? The Bible teaches us that leader is servant and steward and shepherd, right?" [30:05] (41 seconds)
5. "The integrity of heart, that Hebrew word, integrity and skill. It involves heart and hand, integrity and skill. The integrity of heart, integrity is a word that means whole, complete. It's a word that describes a purity in which there is no separation between the internal and the external. No separation between what I say and what I do, between who I am in private and who I am in public. Integrity of the heart and skillfulness of the hands. The Hebrew word skill is a great Old Testament word that means something like expertise. It's a head word, but it's also a hand word. It's mastering your craft. It's being really good at what God has called you to do." [33:18] (43 seconds)
### Quotes for Members
1. "When we read this text, we marvel at the mystery of kingdom leadership. Now we don't have time, but if we had time to study the whole of this psalm, this big long psalm, we'd discover that in the first few verses, the psalmist says, I want to sing you a song about the mystery of God. I want to sing you a song about the riddle. That is the way of God with his people. And Psalm 78 is a psalm that reminds us that Israel is a failure, that they are fickle, that they just keep falling down and never live up to God's standard. But the mystery is that even in the face of the failure of the people of God, God gives them a leader named David." [37:42] (63 seconds)
2. "He took him from the field, the sheepfold, shepherding the flock. He made him a warrior. He made him a poet. He put him into flight in the wilderness. And he brought him to the throne. That's the way of God. He takes us from and he brings us to. He develops us so that we can be the leaders that he calls us to be. I talked to my dad on the phone last week. Last Sunday was his birthday, I think. And he, I'm so grateful for my dad. When I was a little boy. Dad is a union guy. Blue collar. Built pipelines all over the world." [42:36] (51 seconds)
3. "And we know that the Bible teaches us that to be a Christian and lead is to be different than the world. Right? Remember when Jesus about Christian leadership, the first thing he said is not like them. Not like the Gentiles who Lord it over those. We're called to a different kind of leadership. Servant, steward. Shepherd. And Remember in 3 John, John says, not like Diotrephes, who loves to be first among them. We're called to a different kind of leadership. And this is an aspirational model for kingdom leadership." [36:27] (44 seconds)
4. "And we read this text. We say praise God for the way he raises up leaders. In a way we could never anticipate. Or understand. I'll just say the amen myself. Amen. Got me doing both parts here. So the first lens is this practical lens. Very appropriate practical lens. We aspire to this biblical model of leadership. The second lens is a little deeper, isn't it? We marvel at what is the mystery of the way God chooses and develops and gives leadership to his people. There's a third lens that we need to use. And it's simply this. When we read the text. We as God's people. We long for the king." [46:49] (59 seconds)
5. "And we know that. And I think that's what it is. And we know that the Bible teaches us that to be a Christian and lead is to be different than the world. Right? Remember when Jesus about Christian leadership, the first thing he said is not like them. Not like the Gentiles who Lord it over those. We're called to a different kind of leadership. Servant, steward. Shepherd. And Remember in 3 John, John says, not like Diotrephes, who loves to be first among them. We're called to a different kind of leadership. And this is an aspirational model for kingdom leadership." [36:27] (45 seconds)
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